TESOL Teacher Teaching Tip #6: Making the Most of the Whiteboard

Part of the TESOL teacher’s arsenal of teaching resources is the humble yet effective whiteboard. This is a vital tool for the classroom; it is the central focal point for students, so proper implementation of the whiteboard is essential for the TESOL classroom. The following are a few simple and practical tips to make the most of your whiteboard:

1. Greet the students with a presentable board

When you have to share the classroom with another teacher, it’s courteous to make sure the board is clean before students come in; sometimes, TESOL teachers are in a hurry and forget to erase the board, leaving the material for the next group of students to see. To maintain professionalism, it’s a good idea to come in before the students, and go over the whiteboard with an eraser before the lesson starts. And don’t forget to clean the board for the next TESOL teacher who uses the room after you.

2. Plan ahead how you’re going to use the whiteboard

This is just part of the lesson planning procedure. How are you going to present that grammar structure to the students? What example sentences are you going to put on the board for context? Planning these things may take a little more time, but it saves time in the classroom, and the information will go up on the board quickly and problem free.

3. Consistency!

If you divide your board and designate certain areas for vocabulary, grammar structures, and examples, try to be consistent, as this will help students absorb the organization into their routine, and you don’t have to explain where everything is each lesson.

4. Print legibly

Scribbling words on the board in a hurry looks sloppy and unprofessional, not to mention it’s difficult to read. Keep your script about 2” to 2 ½” high, or big enough so the students at the back of the room don’t have to read your writing with binoculars. Print – don’t use cursive writing.

5. Don’t spend too much time with your back to your students

When your back is facing your students, all sorts of mischief can occur. Learn to get the information up on the board quickly but neatly.